We received a message via our Facebook page at 12.15am two nights ago.
“Hello, anyone there?”
“I just found a dog.”
“Are you guys able to keep it?”
And that started a string of messages that sent us into yet another frenzy in the middle of the night when we were all set for bed.
The lady told us that they were driving along Neo Tiew Road, which is a dimly lit farm area way out in the boonies, when they saw a small dog in the middle of the road. There were two stray dogs near her and we saw a small wild board when we went to pick her up.
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| Picked up from the main road and kept in a discarded trolley |
Worrying about the small dog’s safety, from being road kill as well as being attacked by the strays or wild boar, she immediately pulled her car over and put the dog in her car.
It was way past midnight and the area was very ulu (deserted) – we needed to find two volunteers who were not asleep and had cars to quickly head down. It was too risky to send one lone volunteer to such a place in the wee hours.
We got to Neo Tiew Lane at 1.15am and found the abandoned shitzu in a discarded trolley. The lady had put her inside to keep her safe while waiting for us.
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| Extremely dirty and neglected |
The dog seemed blind and was trying to sniff the air when we approached. Her face was so dirty, her eyes full of discharge and her fur so sticky, it stuck to her skin. Her coat was dry and flaky and her nails were so long it curled sideways.
She was extremely sweet and allowed us to carry her.
By the time we got to the vet, it was 2am! We ran bloods on her and her blood results were not too bad, except for the fact that she was dehydrated and her adrenal glands enlarged. She is estimated to be around 14 to 15 because of her neglected state but she is rather high energy and could actually be younger.
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| Dry, flaky skin |
She is unable to pick up food with her mouth; we have not figured out why yet. All she can do is lick her food, so soft / pureed food works best. The vet reckons it could be a jaw structure issue – we will observe further. She will require a dental eventually, when she gets stronger.
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| Such a sorry sight, with eyes pleading for help |
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| Long, curled nails. How painful it must have been for her to walk. |
To date, one person has come forth to claim her but his details do not match.
We have reported the case to NParks as that of pet abandonment. There are no houses in that vicinity so there is no possibility that she had slipped out of her home. That area is really out of the way, and dangerous with many strays and wild boars. How in the world did a sweet, old dog end up in the farm area walking in the middle of the road at midnight?
Tipsy is still warded at the vet as she has not yet found a foster.
To support the work we do, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg
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| Underweight and malnourished |
